The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is deeply saddened by the passing of Doctor Nondumiso Maphazi, a trailblazing leader, committed servant of the people, and the first female Executive Mayor of the municipality.
According to a statement issued by current Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, Maphazi served as Executive Mayor from 2011 to 2016, leading with dignity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the vision of a better, more inclusive society. A stalwart of the African National Congress, she leaves behind a legacy of service, resilience, and gender activism.
She added, “Born with a calling to serve, Maphazi’s political and professional journey reflected her lifelong commitment to justice, democracy, and the upliftment of the most vulnerable in our society. She was a devoted educator, community builder, and passionate advocate for women’s rights. Her work extended far beyond the Council chambers — it echoed in classrooms, communities, and institutions across the Eastern Cape and South Africa.”
Lobishe continued, “Her political journey began when she was deployed as a Public Relations Councillor in the then Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in 2000. She held various strategic roles, including Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Health and Infrastructure & Engineering, and later served as Executive Mayor from 2006 until 2009. After a term as Political Advisor to the Eastern Cape Premier, she was appointed as a full-time commissioner of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in 2012, and served as its Acting Chairperson until 2017.”
Maphazi’s intellectual prowess was matched by her academic achievements. She held a Master’s degree in Public Administration (Cum Laude) and a PhD in Public Administration from Nelson Mandela University, with a focus on accountability and good governance in local government.
“She was also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Programme in Municipal Development from the University of Pretoria and qualified in Management Development for Municipal Finance at Wits University.”
Lobishe added that in 2022, she was appointed Chairperson of the SA Tourism Board, and previously chaired the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA).
“Her passing is not only a loss to her family and comrades but also to the countless women and youth whose lives she touched through her activism, mentorship, and leadership. She remained a committed member of the ANC Women’s League Provincial Executive Committee until the end, with a fierce dedication to eradicating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide,” Lobishe said.
“As the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, we honour Doctor Maphazi not only as a pioneer but as a symbol of integrity, intellect, and transformation. She paved the way for future generations of women leaders in local government and beyond.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, comrades in the ANC and the Women’s League, and all who had the privilege of working with her. May her soul rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire,” she concluded.
